Failure To Move Over Leads Sarasota Deputies To Drug Arrest

NORTH PORT, FL – Just days after Florida law enforcement agencies launched its public awareness campaign, a 21-year-old woman is facing charges for violating the Florida Move Over Act.

On Monday, Jan. 8, just before 8 p.m., the Sarasota County Sheriff’s Office arrested Taylor Bennett who failed to switch to another lane or slow down while passing deputies who were investigating an accident on Interstate 75 in North Port.

In an effort to save the lives of law enforcement and emergency personnel rendering service along roadways, the Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles has declared January Move Over Month. Throughout January, law enforcement agencies are reminding motorists that state law mandates they switch lanes or slow down when they see law enforcement, emergency and service personnel stopped along roadways.

Sheriff’s deputies said Bennett failed to slow or move the a farther lane despite the presence of emergency and sheriff’s vehicles with flashing lights.

With Bennett’s consent, deputies searched her car and discovered 200 grams of marijuana in the trunk along with a scale, materials to package the drugs and $1,700 in cash.

Bennett was taken to the Sarasota County Jail and charged with one count of possession of marijuana with intent to sell.

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Photo via Sarasota Sheriff's Office